Fishing rod holder

Abstract

This invention relates to a fishing rod holder for resiliently securing and holding a fishing rod or similar article, between the coils of a resiliently secured helical spring.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fishing rod holder, comprising (a) a base member having a recess therein;   (b) a coiled spring mounted in said recess; and   (c) resilient means for retaining said coiled spring in said base member; said resilient retaining means biasing said coiled spring against said base member, said coiled spring having an uncompressed state, said recess having a lengthwise dimension which is less than the lengthwise dimension of said coiled spring in said uncompressed state; wherein said resilient retaining means retains said coiled spring in said recess, said coiled spring having a top side and a bottom side and having a plurality of coils, said coiled spring being compressed longitudinally along the bottom side to fit within said recess in a first compressed state, said recess having two ends, the bottom side of said coiled spring being held in said first compressed state by a first compressive force exerted by the ends of said recess, said recess creating an aperture in said base, said resilient retaining means extending through said aperture and through said coiled spring, and exerting a first downward force against said coiled spring; the coils of said spring being pushed to an open position to hold a substantially cylindrical member, said open position giving rise to a normal restoring force in said coiled spring, the ends of said recess applying a second compressive force on the bottom side of said coiled spring when the coils are in said open position, said second compressive force causing said coiled spring to assume a second compressed state, said second compressive force being greater than said first compressive force, said coiled spring being in greater compression in said second compressed state than in said first compressed state, said resilient retaining means applying a second downward force on said coiled spring when the coils are in said open position, said second downward force being greater than said first downward force, said second compressive force together with said second downward force and said normal restoring force comprising a gripping force between the coils, said gripping force comprised of said forces increasing as the separation between the coils increases.   
     
     
       2. A fishing rod holder according to claim 1 further comprising a means for securing said base member to a suitable support.